NOA Explains Lack of Regular-Sized N3DS

By David Lovato 14.01.2015 20

NOA Explains Lack of Regular-Sized N3DS on Nintendo gaming news, videos and discussion

Today's Nintendo Direct announced the release date of the long-awaited New Nintendo 3DS, but in North America, the system comes only in the XL size, whereas other markets appear to be getting both standard and XL sizes.

The folks at Kotaku have gotten in contact with Nintendo of America about the issue, with NOA reportedly responding:

Different territories make their own business decisions regarding individual products and timing. We think New Nintendo 3DS XL makes the most sense for our market. Nintendo makes different systems at different price points for a whole range of consumers, and New Nintendo 3DS XL simply expands those choices even further.

The company has not said whether the standard-sized New 3DS will be released in North America at a later time.

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I don't know about other regions, but in North America the standard-size 3DS hasn't officially been sold for a long time (probably years) - it's been XL only.

That's probably the main reason why they are going XL only here with the new 3DS as well.

I do feel sorry for the US, they get screwed over so much by Nintendo of America. There was a time when it was the other way around and Europe used to get nothing special or got games really late, but Nintendo of Europe have been superb in recent years.

Marzy said:
I do feel sorry for the US, they get screwed over so much by Nintendo of America. There was a time when it was the other way around and Europe used to get nothing special or got games really late, but Nintendo of Europe have been superb in recent years.

Not really. We have gotten the short stick A LOT recently as well... Not as bad as in the days of olde, but still not very good. I think America usually has it better than us even today. Not in this specific case, but otherwise.

It is only that when America gets it there is big complains everywhere as they are not used to it, therefore it appears to be more "common" than it is.

Nothing wrong with Americans complaining. More like I think we in Europe should not accept when we get the short end of the stick either and be more demanding as well. Smilie

( Edited 14.01.2015 20:39 by Andre Eriksson )

The difference between illusion and reality is vague to the one who suffers from the former and questionable for the one suffering form the later.

I've heard rumors of short supply (which is supposedly also why it came out in Japan sooner and doesn't come with the AC adapter), but who knows. Maybe the XL was outselling the regular by a huge margin. 

Nintendo of Europe has been putting out some great bonuses as of late. NOA throws us a bone now and then but it seems like scalpers just come in and buy everything immediately and then sell it for 3x what it's worth later, maybe NOA has decided it's not worth the effort? I don't know. Super disappointing to see cool stuff sell out immediately and then appear on ebay for $500.

NNID: crackedthesky
My blog, mostly about writing: http://www.davidjlovato.com

Can't think of too much that stands out that Europe has got the shit end of the stick on regarding Nintendo in last few years. I know Kirby & Rainbow Paintbrush is coming a while after the US release, and I'm sure there's more things we've been messed about with, but nothing major I can think of. NOE's improved massively here.

NOA on the other hand has really been a letdown. It is sad to see how things have changed. We should all be getting the same things in as timely a manner as possible.

@Azuardo, I agree with you. As we saw with the release of Pokemon X and Y- it was perfectly feasible to release a Nintendo game globally, on the same day. I understand that there is often the process of shipping and other factors before games can be sold in the west, yet they should not requite too much time, nor issues.

More often than not though Europe gets stuff at a sometimes painfully later date than the rest of the world. It is, once again, not as painful as in the days of olde but still an annoyance.

It is, however, much more even now than it was only five years ago. So Nintendo of Europe are getting better, but I know they can be EVEN better! Smilie

EDIT:
However, you all should be happy you do not live in Sweden. We do not even have Club Nintendo support and sometimes games gets banned for whatever reason... Like Dead or Alive: Dimentions. Had to get it from the shady side of town.. :/

( Edited 14.01.2015 21:27 by Andre Eriksson )

The difference between illusion and reality is vague to the one who suffers from the former and questionable for the one suffering form the later.

Any games spring to mind, André? Can't think of much off the top of my head. Americans on the other hand had to fight hard to get the Wii RPGs Xenoblade, Pandora and Last Story. NOE did excellent work getting Bravely Default to us in advance of US.

For us in recent years losing out, I can think of the current Kirby Rainbow on Wii U with no date. We missed the 3DS Inazuma Eleven for odd reasons (supposedly because of the different voice actors we're used to in UK version). Anything else major on the Nintendo side of things?

Azuardo said:
Any games spring to mind, André? Can't think of much off the top of my head. Americans on the other hand had to fight hard to get the Wii RPGs Xenoblade, Pandora and Last Story. NOE did excellent work getting Bravely Default to us in advance of US.

For us in recent years losing out, I can think of the current Kirby Rainbow on Wii U with no date. We missed the 3DS Inazuma Eleven for odd reasons (supposedly because of the different voice actors we're used to in UK version). Anything else major on the Nintendo side of things?


The Wii U System for one and Super Smash. I checked through though on wikipedia... And woah o.O Times has SURELY changed... Sure, some games are out earlier there, but really? Fantasy Life had a TERRIBLE delay there...

US really are very badly threated when it comes to JRPGs for some reason........

I rest my case! Smilie

The difference between illusion and reality is vague to the one who suffers from the former and questionable for the one suffering form the later.

Not sure I agree a couple of weeks difference between NA and EU launches of SSB and Wii U systems are big issues.

But yeah, once you start to look a little closer, you can start to see how things have changed a lot.

It's not to say EU doesn't get shit end at all. Certainly outside the world of Nintendo EU misses out on a LOT compared to US. Digital only version and certain limited editions of games, particularly Square Enix, comes to mind. But in terms of Nintendo, NOE is way ahead of NOA currently.

Azuardo said:
Not sure I agree a couple of weeks difference between NA and EU launches of SSB and Wii U systems are big issues.

But yeah, once you start to look a little closer, you can start to see how things have changed a lot.

It's not to say EU doesn't get shit end at all. Certainly outside the world of Nintendo EU misses out on a LOT compared to US. Digital only version and certain limited editions of games, particularly Square Enix, comes to mind. But in terms of Nintendo, NOE is way ahead of NOA currently.


Yeah. Especially when I started to exclusively looking on Nintendo's own products I saw that pattern. Actually mostly third part titles that are severely late here in Europe (but some of them... Oh boy... SMT: IV anyone?).

The difference between illusion and reality is vague to the one who suffers from the former and questionable for the one suffering form the later.

Yeah, there you go, that's a good example. Rune Factory 4 of course, too. Code of Princess I believe we missed out on a physical release.

Think it would definitely be fair to say that where Nintendo isn't involved, we struggle to get the text-heavy third party games. It would be good if Nintendo stepped in more often when it comes to games like the above.

Bezire.
Id like to keep my portables portable thank you.

http://www.fanficmaker.com <-- Tells some truly terrible tales.
Last update; Mice,Plumbers,Animatronics and Airbenders. We also have the socials; Facebook & G+

Darkflame said:
Bezire.
Id like to keep my portables portable thank you.

I originally didn't want an XL thinking it wouldn't fit in jeans pockets, then my friend bought one and we compared. It's barely bigger, and I think it's actually a little thinner, too.

The New 3DS XL is only a few millimeters larger than the current XL, and is actually slightly thinner. Still a little bigger than I'd like it to be, but by all means still portable.

NNID: crackedthesky
My blog, mostly about writing: http://www.davidjlovato.com

It's bizzare that NoA are screwing their people over. Perhaps American hands are too big for a smaller 3DS! It will probably come to America eventually though.

NoE have been on the ball more recently, really picking up on a lot of RPG's. In fact Professor Layton vs Pheonix Wright came out a lot earlier than it did in the US

justonesp00lturn said:
Darkflame said:
Bezire.
Id like to keep my portables portable thank you.

I originally didn't want an XL thinking it wouldn't fit in jeans pockets, then my friend bought one and we compared. It's barely bigger, and I think it's actually a little thinner, too..

Image for

too big for my pockets Smilie 

http://www.fanficmaker.com <-- Tells some truly terrible tales.
Last update; Mice,Plumbers,Animatronics and Airbenders. We also have the socials; Facebook & G+

Okay, but that's a bad comparison shot because it's unfolded. Fold it up and you're talking maybe a half inch bigger one way, less than that the other way, and slightly thinner.

Image for

I can see it being an issue in certain front pockets, sure, but honestly, I have pants where my regular-sized 3DS doesn't fit in the pockets, too. I think Nintendo handhelds have more or less migrated from the pants pocket to the backpack. I usually keep mine in my back pocket until I have to sit down, personally.

Edit: Also, I think the lack of standard size is probably due to lack of parts. That's the only reason I see for why they released in Japan first and not a worldwide release.

( Edited 15.01.2015 20:06 by justonesp00lturn )

NNID: crackedthesky
My blog, mostly about writing: http://www.davidjlovato.com

For once I'm glad I bought my New 3DS from Australia. It has cool customization and the images aren't blown up. And people walking down the street be like "Damn son, why is my New 3DS so fat compared to yours?" 

I'll just kindly nod and say "Cuz it's American" OHHHHHHHH!!!!

And then the American dude will deck me in the face in the name of America, but it'll be so worth it. 

Damn I'm pissed with Nintendo right now. 

Viendra said:
For once I'm glad I bought my New 3DS from Australia. It has cool customization and the images aren't blown up. And people walking down the street be like "Damn son, why is my New 3DS so fat compared to yours?" 

I'll just kindly nod and say "Cuz it's American" OHHHHHHHH!!!!

And then the American dude will deck me in the face in the name of America, but it'll be so worth it. 

Damn I'm pissed with Nintendo right now. 

"Why is there no regular sized 3DSs in America?"
"Because theres no regular sized Americans!"

[queue bad joke symbol sound effect]

sorry.

http://www.fanficmaker.com <-- Tells some truly terrible tales.
Last update; Mice,Plumbers,Animatronics and Airbenders. We also have the socials; Facebook & G+

Darkflame said:
Viendra said:
For once I'm glad I bought my New 3DS from Australia. It has cool customization and the images aren't blown up. And people walking down the street be like "Damn son, why is my New 3DS so fat compared to yours?" 

I'll just kindly nod and say "Cuz it's American" OHHHHHHHH!!!!

And then the American dude will deck me in the face in the name of America, but it'll be so worth it. 

Damn I'm pissed with Nintendo right now. 

"Why is there no regular sized 3DSs in America?"
"Because theres no regular sized Americans!"

[queue bad joke symbol sound effect]

sorry.


haha nah its all good. I love making American jokes and i was born and raised in California

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